A new study by the Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project reinforces the need to bring affordable Internet access to those who don’t have it – those who, in short, stand to be left out of participating in an American society that now depends on digital communication.
Among those surveyed, the study found that 63 percent now have broadband access at home, up from 55 percent a year ago. On one hand, growth took place among groups with below-average usage rates, such as older Americans and those with lower-income levels.
Yet while that is encouraging, the study also shed light on how much work is ahead in bridging the divide between those who have access and those who don’t.
Consider, for example, that among consumers with incomes of $20,000 or less, 35 percent have broadband compared with 25 percent last year. For people in rural areas, high-speed access climbed to 46 percent in April from 38 percent last year.
Improvements, yes. But in both categories, the majority still remains without access.
Among those surveyed, Internet access was seen as a vital tool for finding information. About 68 percent said the Internet is a “very important” way to stay updated about their community. To trim expenses, more than twice as many people said they cut back on or dropped a cell phone or cable TV plan than said they had canceled their Internet access.
Only 7 percent of the people surveyed said they still use a dial-up connection at home, half the level it had been two years ago. Among those people, 32 percent said the price would have to fall for them to consider moving to broadband, while 17 percent said it would have to become available in their area.
The Pew findings reinforce the work of the Knight Center of Digital Excellence, which is to promote Internet access for all, as a way for all to participate equally in social and economic opportunities of today and of the future.
Tags: broadband, Broadband Expansion, cable TV, cell phone, digital, digital divide, high-speed, infrastructure, Internet, KCoDE, Knight Center of Digital Excellence, network, Pew Research Center Internet & American Life Project, rural communities
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